Archival Buffalo News feature articles

  Sinatra at the peak of his late-career comeback form. Oct. 9, 1976 ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ Recaptures More of That Old Magic              The brash and ever-popular Frank Sinatra, now 61, recaptured more of the old magic in Memorial Auditorium Friday night than anyone would’ve thought he could a year ago.           Then he’d just hauled himself out of retirement. Trouble was, his body was puffy and his tenor would crack. These days it seems the only problem was that he’d forgotten how long it would take to get back into shape.           His return to form gratified the nearly sold-out hallful of swelligant, elegant fans. And a glittering crowd they were.           Among the three-piece suits, gold jewelry and expensive gowns, this reviewer counted a city official, a county legislator and a TV newsman in one...

  Oddly, this review doesn’t mention the opening act – Orleans . Perhaps that part got chopped off, not an unusual fate for my reviews in those days. Oct. 7, 1976 Late Show by Browne Well Worth the Wait              There were excellent reasons for going to the Jackson Browne late show Wednesday night, but none of them especially practical for anyone who had to be up and about before noon.           Consider that Browne was paying his annual benediction to the Century Theater, which he helped Harvey & Corky Productions reopen to rock ‘n roll two years ago this month.           Then remember that the anomie-stricken singer-songwriter only has to go as far as Rochester for his next performance tonight. He could sleep late.           Those who were prepared to stay far into the night were not disapp...

  Ah, the good old days, when you could go to the late show, leave after midnight and still have enough time to write a review.  Sept. 26, 1976 Freddy Saves Day After Tom T.’s Patter             Country music, despite its church-social homogeneity, has always been willing and, yet, proud to embrace outsiders who respect its etiquette.           Black singer Charlie Pride is one. Another is Texas-based Chicano Freddy Fender, whose first appearance in Buffalo Saturday night brought more than 4,500 fans out for two shows in Kleinhans Music Hall .           Fender, who adopted his name from his guitar during two decades on the Lone Star State ’s dancehall circuit, is one of country music’s surprise successes of the ‘70s. What’s more, it’s not strictly a country success.          ...

  An unforgettable character at the beginning of his bizarre career. How bizarre did it get? See the footnote.   Sept. 18, 1976 Teen-age Polka Whirlwind Plans All-Star Musical   THE BUFFALO AREA’S youngest polka promoter answers the door of his parents’ West Seneca home in the same way he does everything – with a precocious buoyance that leaves the senses slightly overwhelmed.           One recovers enough to shake Bernie Zolnowski’s hand and follow this 15½-year-old whirlwind to the room where his polkamania is headquartered.           There’s a drum set (he’s a pickup drummer for polka bands), a pair of turntables from which he’s broadcast polkas (with FCC approval) over Citizens Band Radio Channel 14, half his polka albums (the other 250 are out on loan) and posters for polka shows.           Right now most of his ener...

  There were many perks to writing for the arts and entertainment pages in the 1970s and one of the best was the assignment to cover the press conference that impresario Lew Fisher hosted for stars who were beginning a week-long run at Melody Fair in North Tonawanda . The stars were inevitably gracious and, for us rapacious reporters, there was always a splendid spread of hors d’oeuvres.   Sept. 8, 1976 Tennessee Ernie’s Life Is an Open Book   “Ninety percent of everything I talked about last night was the truth,” Tennessee Ernie Ford is saying Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in the Executive Motor Inn in Cheektowaga .           For the story-telling entertainer, making one of his rare Eastern public appearances now through Sunday night under the Melody Fair dome in North Tonawanda , the truth is often amazing enough.           Consider the tales that could come ...

  A bicentennial extravaganza, this one. It was supposed to be the year’s third Summerfest show at Rich Stadium, but got diverted to the Aud instead.   Sept. 3, 1976   Beach Boys Sail Through Oldies And 17,000 Have ‘Fun, Fun, Fun’             The Beach Boys paid their most triumphal visit to Western New York Thursday night in a manner completely appropriate to the summer of Operation Sail.           The Memorial Auditorium stage was a dock to which was tied a model of a tall-masted ship. Lights outlined imaginary sails. Stalwart singer Mike Love wore a T-shirt inscribed: “Office Crew Yacht Harmony.”           Their jolly crew totaled 14, with five horn players on deck. That’s not counting two little daughters in red jumpsuits who came out to add their voices at the end.         ...

  To take the full measure of the mania for these tartan-clad teen idols in concert, I brought along three of the neighborhood kids from Auburn Avenue . Aug. 31, 1976 Bay City Boys ‘Think Straight,’ Roll Along With Hysteria             Up on the sixth floor of the Sheraton Inn-East – their second hotel here – the Bay City Rollers are winding down from Monday night’s screamfest in Kleinhans Music Hall .           They’ve hung up their trademark tartan plaid for the evening, but there’s no loud partying, no liquor, no groupies, no drugs.           Not many Rollermaniacs either. Few of the ‘70s successors to the Beatlemaniacs have found their way out here. Plus there’s obstacles like cops and Mike Klefner of Arista Records, who’s hefty as the security crew that hauled teenage girls back to their seats during the show.   ...